Justice's new benchmark

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A NEW face of justice will emerge from the grounds of an old
disused TAFE building in the inner city.

Victoria's first "one-stop" court will be built on the corner of
Wellington and Perry streets, Collingwood.

The $23 million Neighbourhood Justice Centre will hear
everything from minor crimes and civil cases, to family disputes,
domestic violence, and tenancy complaints.

A single magistrate will handle all cases, and immediately offer
help in the same building, such as drug and alcohol treatment,
housing, employment or training.

The idea is to have cases dealt with in two days, and is the
latest reform in Attorney-General Rob Hulls' push towards
"therapeutic justice". The magistrate, says Mr Hulls, will be
encouraged by the Government to think beyond simply punishing
offenders.

The focus will be on the underlying causes of crime and the need
to reduce repeat offending through community support.

Mr Hulls told The Age: "It will be a flagship for change
in the way justice is dispensed here in Victoria. The same
sentencing options will be available, but as a community we have to
think outside the square in relation to how we deal with crime.

"I believe that in some areas, the adversarial system has failed
us, and I think that we have to be more innovative in trying to
address the underlying causes of crime."

The Neighbourhood Justice Centre is modelled on a similar court
in New York. Mr Hulls said the Collingwood site was chosen because
of "significant issues of disadvantage" faced in the area.